Our People
protects your children and preserves your assets.
The Professional Team
Catherine GalePrincipal
Catherine has more than 35 years experience helping Family Law clients reach mutually acceptable solutions.
She is an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Catherine has been a leader in the development of Collaborative Family Law in Australia. She is actively involved in training lawyers in the collaborative family law process and also lectures in Collaborative Law at Monash University. – View Catherine’s profile and professional qualifications.
Experience over many years informs us of just how difficult divorce and separation can be from emotional, financial and legal perspectives and Catherine’s commitment to her clients is to guide them through the process in the most amicable way possible, while still achieving a legally binding outcome for them.
Catherine takes time to understand her clients’ concerns to help them reach a positive outcome without having to pay the emotional and financial price of a protracted Court battle.
Ellie DelafieldPrincipal
Ellie is trained as a Collaborative Family Lawyer.
She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Criminology and in 2002 graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Law.
Ellie has raised 4 daughters, including one with special needs and all of whom are now independent adults.
She has worked in a number of Domestic Violence Services supporting women and children that experienced domestic violence both directly and through the court system for those going through Family Law and Intervention Order process.
An active member of Collaborative Professionals Victoria and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Victorian Women Lawyers and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Ellie is also a member of the Board Management at the Alkira Centre, which is a community operated disability organisation that provides services and support to over 150 people with intellectual disabilities in Australia.
Ellie’s goal is to help separating and divorcing couples through the difficult transition of resolving their Family Law disputes in a respectful and confidential manner outside Court, wherever possible.
Jacqueline PhilipSenior Associate
Jacque has 20 years experience working in a Family Law environment. After graduating from the University of New England (NSW) and being admitted to legal practice, she has since undertaken extensive training in Collaborative Law and Mediation. Jacque also continues to maintain a litigation practice to help those clients who have no choice but to go to court.
Jacque started her legal life in Family Law as a Legal Secretary and Law Clerk and therefore understands the importance of maintaining a strong rapport with clients with delicate and confidential matters.
Jacque is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Victorian Women Lawyers Association and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
Sara RuddFamily Dispute Resolution Pracitioner
Sara has many years experience as a Family Lawyer. She is a Mediator and Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Sara graduated in Law from Monash University in 1975.
In recent years Sara’s focus has been working in family law mediation. She became an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner in 2009.
Sara is available for private mediation, including child focused and child inclusive mediation, at Resolve Conflict.
To enquire about a Mediation with Sara you can telephone our office on (03) 9620 0088.
Our Administrative Team
Aileen CandyClient Relations
Aileen Candy (pictured to the right at the front) has worked at Resolve Conflict since coming to Australia from Ireland in 2010.
In her role as Client Relations Manager, Aileen oversees all client related services and her friendly and helpful manner ensures that clients always have a contact point when lawyers or mediators are unavailable.
Prior to working at Resolve Conflict, Aileen completed a Business and Legal Course at Carlow Institute of Further Education in Ireland. Aileen has extensive experience working in law firms in Ireland. She has an ongoing commitment to providing excellent customer service to clients.
Sasha InnesAdministration and Finance
Sasha (pictured to the right at the back) works closely with Aileen and manages administration and finance at Resolve Conflict. She is available to assist clients with all financial matters, account and billing queries.
Alyson Gale
Alyson is a graduate of the University of Ballarat and is currently studying her Masters of Law (Juris Doctor) at Monash University. She aspires to be a lawyer and is gaining much valuable experience from her position at Resolve Conflict.
Alyson has worked at Resolve Conflict since 2010 and is a versatile member of our team working in our accounts department along with general administrative work, in addition to assisting our legal team.
Sarah Heland
Sarah is a graduate of Monash University in Biomedical Science and is currently working toward a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne.
She has worked at Resolve Conflict since 2009 and enjoys working in a variety of areas which include administration and supporting the legal team.
Grace Gostelow
Grace works as one of our administrative assistants. She is undertaking her Certificate III in Legal Business Administration.
Amy Andrews
Amy works in reception at Resolve Conflict and will generally be your first point of contact when contacting our firm. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Sunshine Coast University and previously worked in administration.
